OCCT3002 Understanding Disease and Disability

2017

4.5

1 x 50-minute lecture weekly
1 x 50-minute tutorial weekly
1 x 8-hour independent study weekly

1 Admission into BHSMOT-Bachelor of Health Sciences, Master of Occupational Therapy
1a Admission into BHS-Bachelor of Health Sciences
2 HLTH1004 - Human Bioscience
Must Satisfy: ((1 or 1a) and 2)

REHB3002 has been successfully completed

Content from the first two years of the BHS and the required prerequisite

Assignment(s); Examination (40%); Expected to attend all sessions and a 90% attendance rate will be required to pass.

Historical and contemporary influences and changes to the epidemiology of common health conditions will be briefly outlined. The concepts of acute and chronic presentation will be discussed including the differing aims and overall intervention strategies used for each. The cellular and tissue processes which underpin diseases will be outlined including inflammation, ischaemia and neoplasia. Specific diseases and disorders relevant to rehabilitation professionals will be discussed both from a clinical aspect and also exploring the impact and implications of long term disease and disorders on individuals, those they live with and society. Key diseases and disorders that will be covered include arthritis, cardiovascular, respiratory, diabetes mellitus, mental health, traumatic brain injury, spinal cord injury, renal, developmental disabilities, back injury, neurodegenerative disorders and cancer.

The aim of this topic is to introduce students to key diseases and disorders relevant to working in rehabilitation and the impact of these on the day to day lives of individuals and families.

On completion of this topic, students will be able to;

• Describe how the pattern of diseases and disorders has changed historically, the drivers for this change and contemporary influences on the pattern of diseases and disorders both nationally and internationally

• Describe the mechanisms that underpin diseases including the inflammation cycle

• Describe the cause, presentation, natural history and typical intervention for diseases, injuries and disorders commonly seen by rehabilitation professionals

• Differentiate between acute and chronic presentation and the respective aims of intervention generally for these

• Reflect on the lived experience for individuals who have long term health issues and the impact of this on their day to day life, on their significant others such as a partner or family, as well as society.